Effect of colored light regimes on the stress response and RNA/DNA ratio of juvenile red sea bream, Pagrus major

We hypothesized that fish with red-sensitive retina would be stressed by red light and thus inhibited in somatic growth. Red sea bream (Pagrus major) juveniles (total length =3 cm) with red-sensitive retina were chosen to test this hypothesis. We examined the effect of different color lights (red with λmax 605 nm; green with λmax 540 nm; blue with λmax at 435 nm; and white with full spectrum) on unfed juveniles in laboratory tanks. Stress level was measured by the plasma cortisol and glucose concentrations, and nutritional status by muscle RNA/DNA ratio. Under red light, plasma cortisol and glucose, and muscle RNA/DNA were significantly higher than under green, blue, or white light. Our hypothesis was partly supported by previous findings on the effects of the color environment and spectral sensitivity of reared fishes. However, the levels of cortisol, glucose, and RNA/DNA in this study were low compared to published values. It seems that hatchery-bred juvenile red sea bream have adapted to red-rich surface light and are able to cope with the stress of living in surface floating cages which is so different from their deep-water habitats

Yeast Cls2p/Csg2p localized on the endoplasmic reticulum membrane regulates a non-exchangeable intracellular Ca2+ pool cooperatively with calcineurin

AbstractSaccharromyces cerevisiae CLS2 gene product (Cls2p) that is localized on the endoplasmic reticulum is important for the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ in a compartment distinct from the vacuole. Using a vma3 mutation that impairs the Ca2+ sequestering activity into the vocuole, we have shown that the cls2 mutation results in 3.4-fold increase in the Ca2+ pool that is not exchangeable with extracellular Ca2+. Accumulation of Ca2+ within the cls2 cells is synergistically elevated by the addition of immunosuppressant, FK506. Moreover, in the vma3 background, toxicity caused by the cls2 mutation is greatly enhanced by FK506. Given that FK506 inhibits the calcineurin activity, Cls2p likely functions in releasing Ca2+ flux from the endoplasmic reticulum, somehow cooperating with calcineurin

Divergence of Evolutionary Ways Among Common sym Genes: CASTOR and CCaMK Show Functional Conservation Between Two Symbiosis Systems and Constitute the Root of a Common Signaling Pathway

In recent years a number of legume genes involved in root nodule (RN) symbiosis have been identified in the model legumes, Lotus japonicus (Lotus) and Medicago truncatula. Among them, a distinct set of genes has been categorized as a common symbiosis pathway (CSP), because they are also essential for another mutual interaction, the arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis, which is evolutionarily older than the RN symbiosis and is widely distributed in the plant kingdom. Based on the concept that the legume RN symbiosis has evolved from the ancient AM symbiosis, one issue is whether the CSP is functionally conserved between non-nodulating plants, such as rice, and nodulating legumes. We identified three rice CSP gene orthologs, OsCASTOR, OsPOLLUX and OsCCaMK, and demonstrated the indispensable roles of OsPOLLUX and OsCCaMK in rice AM symbiosis. Interestingly, molecular transfection of either OsCASTOR or OsCCaMK could fully complement symbiosis defects in the corresponding Lotus mutant lines for both the AM and RN symbioses. Our results not only provide a conserved genetic basis for the AM symbiosis between rice and Lotus, but also indicate that the core of the CSP has been well conserved during the evolution of RN symbiosis. Through evolution, CASTOR and CCaMK have remained as the molecular basis for the maintenance of CSP functions in the two symbiosis system

Sandwich organization of non-ionic surfactant liquid crystalline phases as induced by large inorganic K4Nb6O17 nanosheets

International audienceWhile keeping its lamellar liquid crystal phase, K4Nb6O17 nanosheets were used as a template to sandwich and stabilize an alkylpoly(ethylene oxide) nonionic surfactant-water system showing a monodomain (lamella) formation within the inorganic niobate sheets that appears to not be depend to the surfactant liquid crystalline state in solution but more its concentration

Dissection of lung parenchyma using electrocautery is a safe and acceptable method for anatomical sublobar resection

BACKGROUND: Anatomic sublobar resection is being assessed as a substitute to lobectomy for primary lung cancers. However, persistent air leak after anatomic sublobar resection is prevalent and increasing surgical morbidity and costs. The use of electrocautery is being popularized recently in anatomic sublobar resection. We have retrospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of intersegmental plane dissection using electrocautery. METHODS: Between April 2009 to September 2010, 47 patients were treated with segmentectomy for clinical T1N0M0 non-small cell lung cancers. The intersegmental plane was dissected using electrocautery alone or in combination with staplers. We evaluated the methods of dividing intersegmental plane (electrocautery alone or combination with electrocautery and staplers), intraoperative blood loss, duration of chest tube placement, duration of surgery, preoperative FEV(1.0) %, incidence of prolonged air leak, length of postoperative hospital stay, postoperative pulmonary function at 6 months after surgery and the cost for sealing intersegmental plane. RESULTS: Among the 47 patients, 22 patients underwent intersegmental plane dissection with electrocautery alone and 25 patients did in combination with electrocautery and staplers. The mean number of stapler cartridges used was only 1.3 in electrocautery and staplers group. Mean age, gender, number of patients whose FEV(1)% < 70 % were similar between two groups. There was no statistical difference between electrocautery alone and combination with electrocautery and staplers group in duration of surgery (282 vs. 290 minutes), intraoperative blood loss (203 vs.151 ml), duration of chest tube placement (3.2 vs. 3.1 days), postoperative hospital stay (11.0 vs.10.0 days), postoperative loss of FEV(1.0) (13 vs.8 %), loss of FVC (11 vs. 6 %) or incidence of minor postoperative complications [9 % (2/22) vs. 16 % (4/25), p = 0.30)]. However, incidence of prolonged air leak was higher in electrocautery alone group than in combination with electrocautery and staplers group [14 % (3/22) vs. 4 % (1/25), p = 0.025)]. The cost of materials for sealing air leaks amounted to €964 per patient in the electrocautery alone group and €1594 per patient in combination with electrocautery and staplers group. CONCLUSIONS: The number of patients with prolonged air leak was higher in the electrocautery alone group. The use of staplers in addition to electrocautery may lead to reduced prolonged air leak. However, the use of electrocautery for intersegmental plane dissection appeared to be safe with acceptable postoperative complications and effective in reducing costs

Measurements of Proton, Helium and Muon Spectra at Small Atmospheric Depths with the BESS Spectrometer

The cosmic-ray proton, helium, and muon spectra at small atmospheric depths of 4.5 -- 28 g/cm^2 were precisely measured during the slow descending period of the BESS-2001 balloon flight. The variation of atmospheric secondary particle fluxes as a function of atmospheric depth provides fundamental information to study hadronic interactions of the primary cosmic rays with the atmosphere.Comment: 21 pages, 11 figures, 4 table

Precise Measurements of Atmospheric Muon Fluxes with the BESS Spectrometer

The vertical absolute fluxes of atmospheric muons and muon charge ratio have been measured precisely at different geomagnetic locations by using the BESS spectrometer. The observations had been performed at sea level (30 m above sea level) in Tsukuba, Japan, and at 360 m above sea level in Lynn Lake, Canada. The vertical cutoff rigidities in Tsukuba (36.2 N, 140.1 E) and in Lynn Lake (56.5 N, 101.0 W) are 11.4 GV and 0.4 GV, respectively. We have obtained vertical fluxes of positive and negative muons in a momentum range from 0.6 to 20 GeV/c with systematic errors less than 3 % in both measurements. By comparing the data collected at two different geomagnetic latitudes, we have seen an effect of cutoff rigidity. The dependence on the atmospheric pressure and temperature, and the solar modulation effect have been also clearly observed. We also clearly observed the decrease of charge ratio of muons at low momentum side with at higher cutoff rigidity region.Comment: 35 pages, 9 figures. Submitted to Astroparticle Physic

コウボ エキホウマク ATPase ノ コウゾウ ト キノウ

The yeast vacuolar membrane H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) is the first member of "vacuolar type" ATPase family that has been successively identified in various endocytic and exocytic membrane compartments of eukaryotic cells. The V-ATPase is a multisubunit complex composed of an integral membrane Vo sector and a peripherally associated V1 sector, the two of which are joined together with the V1-Vo bridging component. Upon ATP hydorolysis, the enzyme induces an inward current of 100 pA and generates the proton motive force of 180 mV, interior acidic and inside positive, across the vacuolar membrane. The V-ATPase family performs diverse cellular functions and maintains pH and cation homeostasis in the lumens of organelles, in the cytosol and even in the extracellular milieu. The importance of being acid in these cellular compartments has been highlighted in various cellular events such as vegetative growth, cell transformation, differentiation, metamorphosis and apoptosis

Measurement of Low-Energy Cosmic-Ray Antiprotons at Solar Minimum

The absolute fluxes of the cosmic-ray antiprotons at solar minimum are measured in the energy range 0.18 to 1.4 GeV, based on 43 events unambiguously detected in BESS '95 data. The resultant energy spectrum appears to be flat below 1 GeV, compatible with a possible admixture of primary antiproton component with a soft energy spectrum, while the possibility of secondary antiprotons alone explaining the data cannot be excluded with the present accuracy. Further improvement of statistical accuracy and extension of the energy range are planned in future BESS flights.Comment: REVTeX, 4 pages including 4 eps figures. Submitted to PR